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The Dakar Rally 2014 will be a "X-raid"-Dakar: Clients after clients are booking their cars at the German based winning-team. Also Russian Vladimir Vasilyev, formaly driving with the Russian "G-Force Proto".

Vasilyev made his Mini-debut at the "OiLibya Rally of Morocco" some weeks before - and prompt finished third with his codriver Vitaly Evtekhov. With marathonrally.com, Vasilyev was speaking about his new goals.

MR: First time in Morocco, first race on Mini All4 Racing and such a great performance to be on podium! How did this work?

Vladimir Vasilyev: "My main goal for this race was to test the new car, which I will drive on upcoming Dakar Rally 2014. So, in the first days of rally I really adapted to the car and did not think about results. On the third day I felt that I could increase my speed and push to get the result, so I did it!"

MR: Are you satisfied with the car?

Vladimir Vasilyev: "Yes, for sure. The car is really great, powerful and reliable. To my mind it is the best car for the moment in rally-raids. Before race I had three days of tests with all the X-raid team and mechanics and engineers could set the car for my style of driving. During the race the car ran very well and we will keep this specification for the next Dakar."

MR: What are your impressions about the NPO Morocco Rally and your first participation?

Vladimir Vasilyev: "The Morocco Rally is a very specify race with a varied landscapes that is very good for Dakar preparation. A lot of stony tracks, as well as dunes and navigation. Mostly it was hard and bumpy! It is quite similar with the Egyptian "Pharaons Rally". For us the first day was not so good, because we lost about half an hour with navigation mistake. The next days we raced in better way, only 5th stage was hard for me because we drove the car without the 5th and 6th gear. In general, I had positive impressions about the race."

MR: What are your next steps in Dakar preparation?

Vladimir Vasilyev: "It is in plan to attend the technical training in X-raid workshop where the pilot and co-pilot get a practice with car’s repair and learn necessary technical information about main parts of the car. Also we will spend about two weeks with all race crews in mountains with a physical training course before the Dakar."

MR: What is your goal for Dakar-2014?

Vladimir Vasilyev: "For me it will be the second Dakar Rally. I wish to improve my previous result and try to fight for the top-10, maybe for the top-5. But I understand that the Dakar is a long marathonrally where it is important to be in perfect condition from the start till the finish, to follow the tactic and use the moments for attack in right way. I will try to avoid any kind of risk and to race stable using all my skills."